Del Tredici Pens Major New Choral Work
Herrick’s Oratorio, David Del Tredici’s new work for choir and organ, premieres on May 20-21 with ensemble Cantori New York and organist James Wetzel.
On May 20-21, Cantori New York, Artistic Director and conductor Mark Shapiro, and organist James Wetzel perform the world premiere of David Del Tredici’s new work for choir and organ, Herrick’s Oratorio, commissioned for the ensemble by the Roger Shapiro Fund for New Music.
> May 20-21: Del Tredici, Herrick's Oratorio (World Premiere)
The choral work, approximately 25 minutes long, is written in five movements, setting six poems by 17th-century English poet Robert Herrick: “His Creed” / “I’ll Hope No More”; “To His Sweet Saviour”; “In the Hour of My Distress”; “Divination by a Daffadill”; and “Two Graces for Children.”
The first two movements of the work are performed a cappella. The organ makes a dramatic entrance at the end of the second movement and becomes a major force in the piece. Del Tredici describes the third movement as a “monumental, highly developed fugue rising to a grandiose climax” that leads into a quiet fourth movement, featuring solo soprano, organ, and humming chorus. The finale fifth movement makes reference to Bach’s famous “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” (“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”), featuring virtuosic organ passages derived from the first movement.
> Read the composer note for Herrick’s Oratorio
Herrick’s Oratorio is an expansion of Del Tredici’s 2011 work Herrick’s Anthems, a setting of “To His Sweet Saviour” and “Divination by a Daffadill.” Del Tredici has also previously set Herrick’s poetry in his 2012 choral work “Credo Fugue,” composed for and premiered by the Young People's Chorus of NYC and Director Francisco J. Núñez.
Concert Info
Saturday May 20 at 8pm ET
Sunday May 21 at 2:30pm ET
Church of St. Francis Xavier | New York
More info
Cantori New York
Mark Shapiro, Artistic Director and Conductor
James Wetzel, organ
DAVID DEL TREDICI Herrick’s Oratorio (World Premiere)
GABRIELA LENA FRANK Hombre Errante (New York Premiere)
> Further information on Work: Herrick's Oratorio
Photo: Susan Johann
